Following data center boom, Oregon for first time considers charging use fees for undersea cables

Oregon is exploring a new revenue stream by considering fees for multinational tech firms using its Pacific Coast seafloor for undersea fiber-optic cables, a move prompted by the booming data center industry. This marks the first time the state has proposed such charges since it first installed its first trans-Pacific fiber-optic cable in 1989. The initiative underscores the growing importance of these cables in global internet infrastructure and the state's intent to capitalize on its strategic location for international data transmission. This could set a precedent for other coastal states and highlight the economic opportunities tied to global tech infrastructure.